Unhappy Is The Land That Has No Hero

"Unhappy is the land that has no hero" said one of Galileo's students. To which Galileo replied, "No, unhappy is the land that needs a hero".

Galileo was wise. Fortunatley, Ukraine has a hero. Their President Zelensky, an actor and comedian turned politician and warrior has had moments like these:

When the United States offered to evacuate him from Ukraine, he stood his ground, saying, "The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride."

Folks have also dusted off old video of Zelensky shaking it down en route to winning Ukraine's version of Dancing With The Stars in 2006, because why not?

Ukraine needs a miracle. But maybe they'll get one - there be a lot of pressure on the West not to let this guy and his people down.

Comments

[Thomas Collins]

No miracles coming. Just a deal that preserves independence of a portion of Uke, formalizes Vlad takeover of Crimea and the two eastern regions with Russkie "peacekeepers", ending of most Western sanctions, and a go ahead for Nordstream pipeline. Germany will continue to phase out nuclear power, US will continue on its disastrous green energy course, and oligarch media will spin this as a win for Biden. In reality, although Putin won't get everything he wanted, he'll get much of it. Although Mr. Z won't be a puppet, he won't be westernizing Western Ukraine. That's my prediction. Any other JOMers want to make a prediction? Do you think I'm being too pessimistic (or maybe naively optimistic)?

[Thomas Collins]

The miracle would be if the pipe dream of Russkie oligarchs dumping Vlad into exile or into the Black Sea actually became reality. Even in the realm of miracles, as Whoopi might say, that would be a miracle miracle.

[MissMarple2]

Wild card: I don’t think Putin counted on Ukraine’s very effective use of social media or Zelensky becoming an overnight folk hero.

I saw this morning that the French Foreign Legion was going to be allowed to take their weapons into Ukraine. How did THEY get involved in this?

I also saw that the MSNBC crowd is crediting Biden with uniting the world against Russia. Please. I can’t believe they have the nerve to try and sell that. Show me the phone logs, Psaki.

[Melinda]

Steph-

Gazprom suicides have been in Russia, in a suburb (gated community) of St. Petersburg, called, I think, Leninsky, just opposite the Catherine Palace, and on the road to Peterhof, if I recall correctly.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

TC,
In honor of our Plagiarizing Paste Eater in Chief I will do as you lawyers do and say my prediction re-alleges and incorporates by reference paragraph 1 by Thomas Collins Esquire at 10:08 AM February 27, 2022, as though fully set forth herein. :)

[MissMarple2]

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columnists/its-the-culture-stupid

Salena Zito

[clarice]

It's nice to see how well Ukraine has overtaken the Russian once dominant propaganda field.

[MissMarple2]

clarice,

I think that Ukraine has a bunch of cyber volunteers using techniques they learned on social media. Not just in Ukraine, but all over. Yesterday there was a feature story on one of our local tv stations about a 90 year old grandmother isolated in Kiev complete with video that had been sent to her granddaughter. Lots of stuff on Twitter like that, too.

[clarice]

Yes, technology has helped make this possible, MM. In the old days, Ukrainians would be shut out of publicizing and the Russians would be showing only pictures of Ukrainian factory workers, farmers, and young girls showering them with flowers and greeting them with bread and salt.

[Neo]

THE UNIVERSE Takedown: World Judo Federation Suspends Vladimir Putin as Honorary President

.. it's over now

[Neo]

Elon Musk has forever changed the scenario of a coup by rendering the part, about capturing the radio/TV/telephone center, moot.
By allow Ukraine to use StarLink satellites to communicate over the internet, that action has pretty much lost its place in history.

[clarice]

up, neo. No more brave guys sitting in attics with shortwave radios trying to get the news out.

[Rick Ballard]

TC,

Putin is rather adept at killing chickens to remind the monkey. I agree he has achieved his primary objective at relatively low cost but I'm left curious as to which secondary and tertiary objectives are being realized. He has gained knowledge wrt actual force readiness (I'd say C+) but I'm not sure the exercise has been long enough to pinpoint enough dissidents to be silenced.

I agree the US media will proudly call this a "win" for the Droolcup Administration but early polling indicates otherwise.

[Melinda]

The_Real_Fly
@The_Real_Fly
UK’S GEN BARRONS: RUSSIA SEEMS TO HAVE STUMBLED A BIT pic.twitter.com/KpJCwoFKci

https://twitter.com/The_Real_Fly/status/1497984309256495111

[Marlene]

Good afternoon! Hubby asked if I wanted to take a Jeep ride this morning and I jokingly said, "yeah let's go to Warm Mineral Springs."
Warm Mineral Springs is about five miles from us and is the center of a fairly strong Eastern European community in North Port. There are two Ukrainian churches in North Port. The springs have been an attraction for Eastern Europeans for years. Although we didn't go this morning, we went there one time out of curiosity. The park is owned by the city of North Port and until recently, the facilities have been in rough condition. I believe there are some upgrades in process. The springs are a sinkhole and fed by three vents, one is 95 degree water that mixes with cooler water, keeping the water in the 80s. The air reeks of sulphur (the springs have the highest mineral content of any natural springs in the U.S.) If you are an random tourist, you might feel out of place. It isn't a fancy spa. :) It is the domain of the Eastern European community and I can only imagine that tensions are running high.

[Marlene]

MM, the geological name for the springs is cenote.

[Melinda]

Cara TXZEAL
@Cara_TXZEAL
Viktor Medvedchuk, the most realistic potential head of a pro-Russian puppet state, has escaped house arrest in Kyiv.

Visegrád 24 @visegrad24
BREAKING:

The Ukrainian oligarch and MP Viktor Medvedchuk, the most realistic potential head of a pro-Russian puppet state, has escaped house arrest in Kyiv.

He is a personal friend of Putin, who is also the godfather of his daughter Maryna.

A manhunt is underway.

https://twitter.com/Cara_TXZEAL/status/1497989349618720773

[Melinda]

Ooops.

Julia Ioffe
@juliaioffe
Not too long ago, Putin was seriously proposing that the ruble become one of the global reserve currencies. Then he singlehandedly tanked it.

Elina Ribakova 🇺🇦 @elinaribakova
Ruble is not yet open, and might not even open on Monday. Local bank apps are quoting 150$ and ATMs are running out of cash.

Capital controls and massive rate hikes next (to 20%?) next. Question is if gradual or shock and awe on the already decelerating economy. twitter.com/elinaribakova/…

https://twitter.com/juliaioffe/status/1497989366685310979

[matt - deplore me if you must]

Putin is taking it on the chin. He thought this was going to be another Georgia and instead we have Zelensky dashing all over Kiev rallying the people. And that is the difference.

It is Russia vs the Ukrainian people. Old men and women, kids, "Here's a rifle and half a dozen magazines. Go kill Russians." There seems to be a plethora of anti-tank and even Stinger missile finding their way to the front.

On the other side morale has to be low on the Russian side. They didn't expect this resistance and it sounds like their logistics train is a mess. A lot of those kids must be wondering why they are there.

And finally the logistics noose is tightening on Russia. No flights in or out. No grain shipments, no Argentine beef, no fresh veggies from the Middle East. Protests in the big cities.

Those troops keeping Lukashenko in power may be needed at the front and what then? They are the only thing saving his ass. And he has the nerve to double down on Ukraine when his own forces are unreliable. Not a good dynamic at play.

3-4 more days of bogging down may do the Russians in psychologically. Putin put his nukes on alert for what? Who is he intimidating? More like his own generals are going to see him as a madman.

[Melinda]

Hah!

Queen Bethany
@NotBlindfolded
Dumbest meme I've ever made and I won't apologize for being proud of it

https://twitter.com/NotBlindfolded/status/1497806247520878593

[MissMarple2]

I am of the opinion that Biden and his flunkies thought they could use Putin to get rid of Zelensky, install a puppet, and hide/destroy evidence of money laundering and bribery by the Biden and Clinton crime families. Biden thought he could mumble around about Putin and blame the Ukrainians and NATO for provoking Putin.

It didn’t work out that way. Unintended consequences, like mask-wearing mandates and CRT in schools.

[Len]

Melinda, ridiculously silly - but funny! - meme.

[MissMarple2]

CPAC straw poll results:

97% approval for Trump.
99% disapprove of Biden.

Top 3 issues: election integrity, border security, constitutional rights.

Winner of straw poll for President: Trump with 59%. DeSantis second at
28%.

Without Trump, DeSantis gets 61%.

[Melinda]

Fraud has plagued federal meals program for years

More than $1 billion in "improper payments" have been billed annually, according to U.S. Government Accountability Office.

By Jeffrey Meitrodt Star Tribune

February 26, 2022 — 3:00pm

https://www.startribune.com/fraud-has-plagued-federal-meals-program-for-years/600150868/

And just which Senator keeps this front and center of his desk, when ANY bill comes out on it?

Durbin.

[clarice]

https://bariweiss.substack.com/p/the-road-out-of-kyiv

[Davod]

MM2. Maybe France is allowing FFL troops of Ukrainian extraction to take leave to go to Ukraine, and take their weapons with them.

[Davod]

Unless their policy has changed, Russian military doctrine includes using tactical nukes on the battlefield, and is a separate issue to the broader use of nukes.

[Davod]

Melinda. Mockery is a great leveler.

[Davod]

Clarice. Great Sunday article on American Thinker. Thanks for the link to the New Yorker article about Chechnya.

[clarice]

Thanks.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10556813/President-lose-grip-power-doesnt-Ukraine-says-minister.html

Mtg near the Pripyat River where a relative of mine, having escaped the germans in Poland fought with the resistance in WWII

[Davod]

PS. I don't now why my 1:51 appears to be linked under below Clarice's.

[Narciso]

would you buy a used anything from this guy,

https://theweek.com/russo-ukrainian-war/1010657/gop-rep-adam-kinzinger-calls-for-us-enforced-no-fly-zone-over-ukraine?amp

[Davod]

I am surprised that Russia's air force has not been more effective. Armored columns without air support?

[Narciso]

there is no point when shame enters into it, for the likes of ioffe or kinzinger, is there,

[Narciso]

so much for that,

https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/world/ukraine-wipes-out-bloodthirsty-chechen-special-forces-sent-to-zelensky/ar-AAUn8Uu?ocid=BingNewsSearch

[Narciso]

I did think they had two many avenues of approach, the main target was kyev, we now know, the rest were faints except for missile attacks,

[Narciso]

for combat, zapad and vostok are the key elements, but they have been ronin without a master since the yamadeyev chiefs were iced,

[Narciso]

welcome to the party

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/is-thomas-friedman-high/ar-AAUnkuP?ocid=msedgntp

[Davod]

The leader of MI6 has a twitter account!

"...In an unusual move for the chief of MI6, Moore shared the article with his over 130,000 Twitter followers, writing: 'Fascinating. Makes sense to me.'"

[henry]

TC is an optimist.

Kiev is encircled. Ukraine flips to Russian satrapy by March 1. All of it. Any Russian losses just piss off Putin and make total takeover more likely.

[clarice]

I hope you're wrong, Henry

[Melinda]

Christopher Miller @ChristopherJM
14h
There’s a new Ukrainian joke going around: Kyiv is ready to consider NATO’s application to become a member of Ukraine.

Oleksii Reznikov @oleksiireznikov
72 hours of resistance! The world didn’t believe. The world doubted. But we did not just stand, we confidently continue to fight with russian occupant!We showed the world - don’t be afraid 🇷🇺, be strong & repel it! Support of 🇺🇦 must be more stronger! Your safety depends on us!

https://twitter.com/ChristopherJM/status/1497815508342788097

[Rocco]

In Putin's speech on the 24th, he alludes to nukes and using them against anyone who attacks his country.

As for military affairs, even after the dissolution of the USSR and losing a considerable part of its capabilities, today’s Russia remains one of the most powerful nuclear states. Moreover, it has a certain advantage in several cutting-edge weapons. In this context, there should be no doubt for anyone that any potential aggressor will face defeat and ominous consequences should it directly attack our country.

Scroll about a third of the way down.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-24/full-transcript-vladimir-putin-s-televised-address-to-russia-on-ukraine-feb-24

Did UK just hit Russia with missiles? Is this why Putin just put his forces on Nuclear Alert? Is he bluffing? we'll see I guess but I think he's prepared to win at all costs. I hope I'm wrong!

[henry]

Clarice, so do I.

[Jane]

Maybe the Oligarchs will take Putin out. I hear they aren’t happy, and he has lost it.

[Davod]

Clarice. I looked up the Pripyat River on Google and it looks beautiful. Here is one of the quotes beside the map.

"They said the river was dirty and had too much radiation, but, nothing happened when I drank from it"

[Dave (in MA)]

Did UK just hit Russia with missiles? Is this why Putin just put his forces on Nuclear Alert? Is he bluffing? we'll see I guess but I think he's prepared to win at all costs. I hope I'm wrong!

???

Wasn't this a reference to Billy Jeff's war?

[clarice]

well, the marshes at Pripyat are very overgrown and easy to hide in. wikipedia:[edit]

Wounded German soldiers being evacuated on a light plane in the southern zone of the Pripet Marshes. 1944
The marshes divided the central and southern theatres of operation during World War II, and they served as a hideout for both Soviet and Polish partisans. At one stage during the war, the German administration planned to drain the marshes, 'cleanse' them of their 'degenerate' inhabitants and repopulate the area with German colonists. Konrad Meyer was the leader in command of the 'Pripet plan'. Hitler scuttled the project late in 1941, as he believed that it might entail Dust Bowl conditions.[4]
German racial anthropologist Theodor Poesche had proposed, in the late 19th century, that the Aryan race evolved in the marshes because of the prevalence of albinism.[5]
In 1942, after an uprising, approximately 1,000 Jews escaped from the Łachwa Ghetto, of whom about 600 were able to take refuge in the Pinsk Marshes.
Known as Pripjet-Sümpfe by the Germans, the wetlands were dreaded by the Wehrmacht troops. During the German invasion of the Soviet Union, the Third Reich armies skirted the wetlands, passing through the north or south of it. However, after the debacle of the Eastern Front in 1944, many retreating units such as the 7th, 35th, 134th and 292nd Infantry Divisions had to cut across the marshy areas. They often needed to build tracks with logs over which they could pull light loads in horse-drawn vehicles.[6]

[Melinda]

I Swallowed Liquid from a COVID-19 Test Kit

https://www.poison.org/articles/i-swallowed-liquid-from-a-covid-19-test-kit

(Kit contains Sodium Azide)

[clarice]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10556975/Kyiv-stands-Ex-Miss-Ukraine-takes-arms-fight-Putins-army-capital-survives.html

[clarice]

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220227-glory-to-ukraine-hundreds-of-thousands-march-against-russian-invasion

[Rocco]

I don't know if it's true, propaganda or just the fog of war.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAx3PQpbkEE

[clarice]

ISW:Key Takeaways
Russian forces likely conducted an operational pause on the Kyiv axis on February 26-27 to deploy additional supplies and forces forward. Russian forces will likely resume offensive operations against Kyiv in the next 24 hours. Russian troops have not yet committed heavy armor and artillery forces to fighting in Kyiv and will likely need to do so to take the city.
Russian forces largely conducted an operational pause on their current broad front of advance between Chernihiv and Kharkiv. Ukrainian forces continue to delay and inflict losses on the Russian advance but will likely not be able to halt further advances if the Kremlin commits additional reserves.
Russian forces entered the city of Kharkiv for the first time on February 27 but remain unlikely to take the city without the use of heavier firepower.
Russian forces have encircled Mariupol from the west and began initial assaults on the city. Russian forces have not made any major territorial gains from the east in Donbas after four days of fighting. Russian forces likely intend to pin Ukrainian forces in place on the line of contact to enable Russian forces breaking out of Crimea to isolate them.
Russian forces continued to advance north towards Zaprozhia and, in conjunction with Russian advances on Mariupol, threaten to isolate Ukrainian forces on the line of contact in Donbas if they do not withdraw.
Russian forces failed to seize Kherson after Ukrainian counterattacks reclaimed it on February 26. An unknown concentration of Russian forces remains on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River and threatens Mikolayiv, however.
Russian successes in southern Ukraine are the most dangerous and threaten to unhinge Ukraine’s successful defenses and rearguard actions to the north and northeast.
Russian troops are facing growing morale and logistics issues, predictable consequences of the poor planning, coordination, and execution of attacks along Ukraine’s northern border.

[Davod]

From Clarice's 4:21 France link.

"...Meanwhile in Lithuania, Belarussian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya led a few hundred of her countrymen in protest against the Minsk regime for allowing Putin's army to use the country as a launchpad into Ukraine..."

Says a lot about Belarus.

[Pinandpuller]

Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.
There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.
Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.
And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them.
And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Judahites, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.

Nehemiah 5:3-8

[Davod]

Emotional moment Ukrainian translator bursts into tears while reporting on President Zelensky's speech for German news channel

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10557527/Ukrainian-translator-bursts-tears-reporting-President-Zelenskys-speech.html

[Davod]

Hungry?

http://ace.mu.nu/archives/grossdog.jpg

[Davod]

First part of Aces food thread which applies to the above.

"Yuck. Why bother with a sausage or hot dog when you mask it with tons of crap? The one in the photo is particularly unappealing (even ignoring the obvious double entendre) because there are at least three good foods in that photo (and who knows what else underneath) that do quite well on their own, but when combined turn into a gloppy, overwhelming mess..."

[Melinda]

9 were destroyed in the first volley.

Pepe Escobar
@RealPepeEscobar
Confirmed and re-confirmed.

9 underground US bioweapon labs in Ukraine were DESTROYED by Iskander missiles.

No confirmation on the status of other 4 labs.

Russia asked the Americans diplomatically - for years.

Now talk to Mr. Iskander.

https://twitter.com/RealPepeEscobar/status/1498032226012909571

ℕ𝔼𝕆ℕ ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕆𝕃𝕋

@NeonRevolt

5h

·

Via @CleanupPhilly

After Anons research the Bioweapons Research Facilities in Ukraine that Putin Bombed, the US Embassy Has Digital Equivalent of Document Burn Bag Before Exfil and Strips Info Off Site

https://ua.usembassy.gov/embassy/kyiv/sections-offices/defense-threat-reduction-office/biological-threat-reduction-program/

All PDF files from embassy website here after officially removed for some weird reason:

https://ua.usembassy.gov/embassy/kyiv/sections-offices/defense-threat-reduction-office/biological-threat-reduction-program/

The good news is they are archived:

https://web.archive.org/web/20170130193016/https://photos.state.gov/libraries/ukraine/895/pdf/dtro-kharkiv-eng.pdf">https://photos.state.gov/libraries/ukraine/895/pdf/dtro-kharkiv-eng.pdf">https://web.archive.org/web/20170130193016/https://photos.state.gov/libraries/ukraine/895/pdf/dtro-kharkiv-eng.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20210511164310/https://photos.state.gov/libraries/ukraine/895/pdf/dtro-luhansk-eng.pdf">https://photos.state.gov/libraries/ukraine/895/pdf/dtro-luhansk-eng.pdf">https://web.archive.org/web/20210511164310/https://photos.state.gov/libraries/ukraine/895/pdf/dtro-luhansk-eng.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20170221125752/https://photos.state.gov/libraries/ukraine/895/pdf/dtro-dnipropetrovsk-eng.pdf">https://photos.state.gov/libraries/ukraine/895/pdf/dtro-dnipropetrovsk-eng.pdf">https://web.archive.org/web/20170221125752/https://photos.state.gov/libraries/ukraine/895/pdf/dtro-dnipropetrovsk-eng.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20210506053014/https://photos.state.gov/libraries/ukraine/895/pdf/dtro-vinnitsa-eng.pdf">https://photos.state.gov/libraries/ukraine/895/pdf/dtro-vinnitsa-eng.pdf">https://web.archive.org/web/20210506053014/https://photos.state.gov/libraries/ukraine/895/pdf/dtro-vinnitsa-eng.pdf

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"These labs are co-run by Fauci's EcoHealth Alliance and rumor is Russia's entire military operation right now is unofficially to either secure and/or destroy these labs and gather evidence." Below, Bulgarian Map of Ukraine DoD funded Biolabs, circa 2016:

https://gab.com/NeonRevolt/posts/107871092213590805

[Melinda]

ooh, longer than I thought. Sorry.

[Thomas Collins]

For a Rhode Islander, Davod, the ingredients appearing in the link below are essential to a NY System Hot Weiner. But don't put ketchup on a NY System Hot Weiner!

https://www.justapinch.com/recipes/sauce-spread/other-sauce-spread/new-york-system-weiner-recipe.html

[Davod]

"Are you out of fuel. Can I tow you back to Russia..."

https://twitter.com/aliostad/status/1497519061554630658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1497519061554630658%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Finstapundit.com%2F

[Pinandpuller]

Kiev Konstantin:

The following is a status report of what appears to be happening at this time (2022. 02. 27 at 12:00 noon Kiev time) in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

I am trying to be as realistic as possible. I mean no disrespect or animus to either the Ukrainian side or the Russian side. I am not in any sense questioning the bravery of the soldiers of any nation, nor do I mean to give any offense. I live permanently in Ukraine, I love the Ukrainian people, and my children are Ukrainian citizens. In what I am about to say, I am trying to give a realistic, sober assessment of the current state of play.

The Russians have entered the center of Kharkiv, I know this from eyewitness accounts of people that I know there. There is small arms fighting, but generally light resistance. In the south, Kherson has fallen and the Russian army seems to have captured Zaporozhia. It seems clear that Dnipro will be reached within 3 to 5 days. At this time, Kiev is being surrounded by Russian tanks. There is sporadic small arms fire outside the city, but no big battles.

The Russian strategy seems to be to encircle the cities, while destroying military installations. The vast majority of civilian infrastructure in the areas under attack have been untouched and are functioning normally. It also seems very clear that the Russians have used their older equipment and less experienced soldiers in this initial assault. Very few of the high-tech modern weaponry that the Russians possess are being used in this first push. This would lead one to believe that the Russians want to probe and exhaust Ukrainian defenses before bringing out top-tier men and materiel.

The Russians are being incredibly disciplined insofar as their information management is concerned. The only information coming out of the Russians comes directly from the Ministry of Defense or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their information so far has been 100% accurate, which I think is a deliberate strategy. There has been a great deal of Ukrainian propaganda that turned out to be complete fantasy, but even after these stories have been proven to be false, people cling to them.

At the current pace of operations, the Russians will completely capture Ukraine within 7 to 14 days. They are winning, and winning decisively. Maps comparing the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 to this current mechanized invasion show that the Russians are outpacing the Americans by a substantial margin. And as I said, they are using their second-tier men and weapons, and they did not use air power to soften Ukraine for several weeks, as the Americans did in 2003. Any claims that the Ukrainians are winning or holding back the Russians is complete fantasy.

This is the current state of play as I perceive it at this time.

Gonzalo Lira
Kiev, Ukraine

[Davod]

"In case of a nuclear explosion, FEMA warns to try to keep 6 ft social distance and wear a mask for covid. You can’t make this up"

https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1498058825819062275

[clarice]

Tell Gonzalo that we weren't neighbors of Iraq and the logistics were far more complicated and that we paused because of a large dust storm. I think the Russian army is much overrated.The same incompetence and corruption that characterizes the govt surely filters down to all departments.

[Narciso]

the Russians were not that effective in Georgia, they settled after 12 days, they were more effective in Chechnya but Kiev is not Grozny,

[Melinda]

The quality of information coming out of Ukraine is poor at best.

That being said, the quality of Disinformation coming out of Ukraine is beyond spectacular.

[Narciso]

the Snake Island story seemed fishy, because why would they strike there, we know how brutal forces can be, the fact they haven't been is the tell,

[Neo]

HUGE lines for ATMs all over Moscow at 5am, as fears that the Russian banking system will be essentially shut down and sanctioned, which is causing a Bank Run.
https://twitter.com/NewUkraineNews/status/1497819495640879104

[Davod]

From what I saw, Snake Island is at the entrance to a river.

[Davod]

I found this as a post at the Australians in America site:

"New egg restaurant in Chatswood NSW.
Note the allergy warning: "Our food may contain egg products"

I damn well hope so."

[Davod]

Narciso. From what I read and saw, the Russian approach to Chechnya, at one stage, was a scorched earth policy. In the end, the got what they wanted.

[Davod]

Gonzo reads like a propagandist, especially when he/she starts comparing US operations.

[Davod]

.PS. I read somewhere today that Russian tanks were carrying hyperbaric shells.

[Davod]

A group of ex navy seals are in Kyiv 🇺🇸🇺🇦
r/ukraine - a group of ex navy seals are in Kyiv 🇺🇸🇺🇦

https://www.reddit.com/r/ukraine/comments/t2tjvj/a_group_of_ex_navy_seals_are_in_kyiv/

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

I suspect Russian propaganda is closer to the truth than Ukraine's.

[Davod]

Propaganda by definition "information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view."

What Russian propaganda?

[Jane]

Mel,

If Taiwan falls to China, what do you think the impact will be on the stock market?

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

And for those noting Ukraine's superior social media campaign, when that defeats armored columns and superior air and naval forces let me know.
It might matter in domestic revolts where turning the state's troops around is possible.
It doesn't when a foreign power invades, especially since almost none of those troops are looking at or concerned with twitter, facebook or star frickin link.

The only question is what is Putin's end game? Is he going to occupy the whole country to keep it pacified or cut off the east half and leave a rump state for the non Russian speaking Ukrainians as TC's first comment seems to predict? The latter would make more sense but some of Putin's actions have not made too much sense to me.

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

We were at Busch Gardens again yesterday, but I was struck by the number of Ukrainians and other Slavic speaking people there. Not sure what it means, but it was notable.

[Melinda]

Good question, Jane.

No idea, but the learning curve has been ironed flat. Bots sell everything, babies to bathwater, but traders and investors are picking off the companies that actually make money at the prices they are happy to pay. The marketplace system corrects itself, as always, over time.

Always.

[Jane]

Thanks Mel.

[MissMarple2]

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2020-03-27/fox-business-anchor-trish-regan-fired-coronavirus-impeachment-scam

Regan called it a scam to damage Trump, which it was. I wonder who will hire her - Ed Henry is on Real America’s voice.

[Melinda]

Good timing for a Treaty, dicks.

Whilst You Were Distracted ...

Mark Wauck

Globalism’s totalitarian impulse never sleeps …

https://meaninginhistory.substack.com/p/whilst-you-were-distracted-

[Anduril has found his stride, at long last....]

[MissMarple2]

Iggy,

The use of social media is effective in undermining public support or marshalling it for morale, which we see Zelensky doing effectively. Of course it isn’t as lethal as bombs and guns, but it can hamper a war effort more than you think.

[Davod]

The importance of being able to get around Russia's control of Russian media is that you can show Russians what is happening to Russians in Ukraine.

[clarice]

I think Ukraine's use of social media has earned it substantial international support and that is not bupkus in this case.

[Melinda]

Almost an awakening on all levels, isn't it, Clarice.

[Davod]

This is from Reuters.

"Sweden to Send Military Aid to Ukraine – PM Andersson.. “Sweden is now proposing direct support for Ukraine’s armed forces. It includes 135,000 field rations, 5,000 helmets, 5,000 body shields and 5,000 anti-tank weapons.”

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-02-27/sweden-to-send-military-aid-to-ukraine-pm-andersson

[Davod]

Melinda and Clarice. Just maybe the social media has driven all those cautious European countries into action.

Maybe someone has another reason for the sudden, overnight, change?

[Davod]

Igotnothing blogger has another use for masks:

http://ace.mu.nu/archives/IGN%201%20022722%20mask%202%20scaled.jpg

[Dave (in MA)]

This is from Reuters.

"Sweden to Send Military Aid to Ukraine – PM Andersson.. “Sweden is now proposing direct support for Ukraine’s armed forces. It includes 135,000 field rations, 5,000 helmets, 5,000 body shields and 5,000 anti-tank weapons.”

Someone from Twitter pointed out that since they're from Sweden, you have to assemble them yourselves.

[Davod]

Dave. And they are all made of recyclable wood.

[Davod]

Dave. PS. And, because it's Sweden, they don't work if you are attacking (even in Ukraine), only if you are defending.

[Neo]

NEW: Congress drops mask mandate ahead of Biden’s State of The Union speech on Tuesday

“Mask wear is now an individual choice option,” the Capitol Attending Physician said.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Breaking911/status/1498111248411492355

[Dave (in MA)]

https://twitter.com/i/status/1498053126305288201 The People's Cube Retweeted
₿az@sentinelbaz· 🚨🚨🚨 Russian Tie Fighter has been shot down outside of Kyiv media reporting…

#UkraineRussiaWar

Click the link for video.

[Davod]

.Time for a bit of light video. This is a repeat, but well worth the time(5:30).

https://youtu.be/pXezLv_5RaY

[Davod]

Masks are optional [as are ear protectors].

[matt - deplore me if you must]

Ukraine seems to be doing well with its anti-tank weapons. The new ones streaming in are recent stock from Western arsenals. The Ukrainians should be able to make good use of them.

Not sure about the Turkish drones, but supporting them could help as well. What happened to the fighter ace or was that BS?